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On June 24th, collectors, scholars and enthusiasts of Asian art will have the opportunity to discover an exceptional selection of works that celebrate centuries of artistic achievement, cultural exchange and personal passion.
Our upcoming Fine Asian Art Auction brings together remarkable pieces from some of Europe’s most distinguished private collections, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the collectors who devoted decades to preserving and appreciating these treasures. From imperial Chinese masterpieces and early ceramics to Indonesian modern art and Himalayan sacred objects, this auction presents an extraordinary journey across Asia’s rich artistic heritage.
Among the most compelling stories featured in this season’s sale is that of a prominent former European diplomat whose career took him across Southeast Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. Stationed in countries including Indonesia and Nepal, he developed a profound appreciation for the cultures, traditions and artistic practices of the region.
Far more than a collector, he became a patron, supporter and friend to many artists and cultural figures. His dedication led him to form personal relationships with some of Asia’s most influential individuals, including Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Nepal’s King Birendra.
Perhaps most notably, he forged a close friendship with Affandi, widely regarded as the father of Indonesian modern art. During frequent visits to the artist’s studio, he witnessed Affandi’s creative process first hand. As a testament to their friendship, he was gifted a magnificent painting, The Cab from Yogyakarta (1962), a work that now stands as one of the highlights of our June auction.
His collection extends far beyond modern Indonesian art, encompassing museum-quality Himalayan sculptures, ritual objects, masks, Chinese antiquities and Vietnamese works acquired throughout decades of dedicated collecting. Built at a time when many of these objects were still accessible in local markets and private collections, the collection represents a unique chapter in the history of Asian art collecting in Europe.
Equally impressive is the collection assembled by the late Dr. S of France, a respected art instructor whose scholarly approach to collecting transformed his passion into a highly refined pursuit.
Holding a PhD in Art and Aesthetics, Dr. S viewed collecting as a form of “curated living”, creating a meaningful dialogue between the present and the past. Every acquisition was carefully selected according to rigorous standards of provenance, rarity, condition and academic significance.
His collection is particularly renowned for its outstanding group of early Chinese ceramics from the Tang and Song dynasties, alongside important archaic jades, bronzes and precious metalwork. Together, these works reflect the elegance, restraint and intellectual sophistication that define some of China’s most celebrated artistic periods.
One of the standout pieces from this collection is Lot 26, a very rare Northern Song white-glazed carved lobed dish. Dating from 960 to 1127, the dish exemplifies the refined aesthetic sensibilities and technical mastery that made Song dynasty ceramics among the most admired artworks in Chinese history.
The auction also features a remarkable private Parisian collection of Ming and Qing dynasty cloisonné enamels.
Collected over more than two decades, this carefully curated group reflects a deep appreciation for one of China’s most technically demanding and visually striking art forms. Historically reserved for the imperial court and produced within palace workshops, cloisonné objects were symbols of prestige, luxury and extraordinary craftsmanship.
The collection offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire pieces distinguished not only by their beauty and condition, but also by their exceptional provenance. These works provide fascinating insight into the artistic achievements of China’s imperial workshops and the enduring appeal of decorative arts created for the highest levels of society.
Alongside cloisonné, the sale includes examples of painted enamel, a medium introduced to China from Europe during the Qing dynasty. These objects reveal a remarkable fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions, reflecting the cultural exchanges that flourished through trade and diplomacy.
Among the most important lots in the auction is Lot 415, an exceptionally rare Imperial White Jade Lança Bowl from the Qianlong period (1736-1795).
With distinguished provenance tracing back to a prominent Japanese collection, this remarkable work embodies the intersection of religion, politics and artistic excellence during one of the most sophisticated periods of Chinese imperial history.
The bowl is decorated with Lança script, a highly ornate writing system originating in Nepal and used for sacred Buddhist texts and ritual objects. During the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, such inscriptions carried profound religious and political significance. The emperor’s patronage of Tibetan Buddhism and his use of sacred imagery helped reinforce both spiritual authority and imperial power.
Comparable examples remain in major museum collections, highlighting the rarity and importance of this finely carved white jade vessel. With an estimate of €35,000-€45,000, it stands as a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Qing court workshops.
What makes this auction particularly special is not only the quality of the objects themselves, but the stories behind them. Each collection reflects decades of dedication, scholarship, travel and personal discovery. Together, they offer a unique opportunity to acquire works that have been treasured by passionate collectors and carefully preserved for future generations.
From the vibrant creativity of modern Indonesia and the spiritual traditions of the Himalayas to the refined elegance of Song ceramics and the splendour of Qing imperial craftsmanship, our Fine Asian Art Auction on 24 June promises an exceptional celebration of Asian art in all its diversity and beauty.
We look forward to welcoming collectors and enthusiasts to explore these remarkable collections and stories that continue to inspire them today.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
Works Sold at Adam’s Now in the Irish National Collection
A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Yvonne Aupicq had met Orpen, we understand, while working as a nurse during the war. He had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of scabies which ended up being a far more serious case of blood poisoning as he recounts in his wartime memoir ‘An Onlooker in France’. Their relationship continued after 1918 when Orpen was appointed as the official artist to The Paris Peace Conference. They relocated to capital and over the following decade he painted her numerous times, often nude as in Amiens 1914, or The Rape and Nude Girl Reading (1921). Working with her as his model during these early years after the war allowed Orpen an opportunity to re-fuel his creativity.
Editor-in-Chief of IMAGE Publications, Lizzie Gore-Grimes, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on September 13th features a prime example of Van Cleef & Arpel's renowned 'Mystery Setting'
Our June auction offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the great masterpieces of Irish art and icons of Dublin’s history.
Georgia Chiesa selects some of her favourite lots in the upcoming Vintage Wine & Spirits Auction
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
